Mascara container



" April 28,1964 W.G.CLARK MASCARA CONTAINER Original Filed Jan. 19, 1960INVENTOR v Maw/w G. i/wk ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oflice 3,130,735Patented Apr. 28, 1964 3,130,735 MASCARA CONTAINER William George Clark,Woodhury, Comm, assignor to The International Silver Company,Wallingford, Conn, a

corporation of (Ionnecticut Continuation of application Ser. No. 3,295,Jan. 19, 1960.

This application July 25, 1962, Ser. No. 217,232 4 Claims. (Cl. 132-85)The invention, generally, relates to cosmetic devices, and, moreparticularly, to a mascara container. This application is a continuationof my copending application Serial No. 3,295, filed January 19, 1960.

It is known to provide tubular mascara casings to contain mascaramaterial and to provide an applicator attached to the closure of thecasing. However, the heretofore known casings have not been entirelysatisfactory in that it is difficult to insert the applicator andexcessive leakage develops about the opening in the casing.

Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to provide a new andimproved structural arrangement to overcome the disadvantages mentionedabove.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a mascara containerwhich is a dependable carrier for mascara material and also is compactand convenient to use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mascara container whichis simple and readily usable without excessive leakage of the mascaramaterial.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a structuralarrangement for a new and improved mascara container which iscompetitive commercially and is practical in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mascara containerhaving a structural arrangement which is effective in preventing leakageof the mascara material and is substantially less noisy when theapplicator is removed or inserted in the casing.

Generally, the preferred form of the invention is embodied in a casingto enclose a mascara fluid and having an opening therein. A closurewhich is adapted to fit the opening has one end of an applicatorattached thereto, the opposite end of the applicator being receivablewithin the casing through the opening. A lip of flexible materialextends peripherally within the casing adjacent the opening to wipe theapplicator as the applicator is moved relative thereto.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of one form of theinvention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a view partly in section of a preferred form of the invention;

P16. 2 is a view in cross section of an insert adapted to fit with thecasing shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in cross section showing a modification of the insertshown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a cross section of a lipin accordance with the invention.

Referring now to the form of the invention shown in the drawings andmore particularly to FIG. 1, a casing is generally tubular with one end11 closed and an opening 12 at the opposite end. The casing 10 may beformed of any suitable material and may be formed in any desired shape,it being understood that the invention is not limited to the particularmaterial of which the casing 10 is formed or to any particular shape.

A plastic insert 13 is fitted tightly within the opening 12 of thecasing 10 as, for example, by press fitting, although, if desired, asuitable adhesive or other bonding material may be used. With the insert13 in place an opening from the casing 10 is provided by an opening 14extending axially through the insert 13.

The principal purpose of the insert 13 is the advantages in manufacture.For example, the casing 10 may be manufactured separately and the insert13 may be standard for several forms of casings.

To close the opening 14 communicating with the easing 10, a plurality ofthreads 15 is formed about the outermost end of the insert 13 to matchsimilar threads 26 at one end of a closure member 17. Preferably thethreads 16 are formed internally of an insert 18 which is held rigidlywithin an opening I19 of a tubular member 20. The end 2 1 of the tubularmember 20 is closed in a manner similar to the end 11 of the casing 10.

An applicator 22, for the illustrative purposes, is in the form of asmall circular rod 23 having a plurality of circumferential elements,such as grooves 24 about one end which, if desired, may be screwthreads, characterized by a given longitudinally spaced relation orpitch. The opposite cylindrical end 23 of the applicator (i.e. oppositefrom the grooves 24) is received in an opening 25 in the insert 18 andheld rigidly therein by a snap ring 26 so that the applicator 22 ismovable by grasping the externally exposed part or end of closure member17.

Preferably, the opening 14 of the casing 10 is larger than the diameterof the applicator 22 to permit the insertion and withdrawal of theapplicator 22 with ease. A lip 27 extends peripherally within theopening 14 adjacent the outer end thereof and is formed to wipe theapplicator 22, the opening Within lip 27 being of slightly less diameterthan the diameter of cylindrical rod portion 23.

As seen better in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the lip 27 is formedintegrally with the outermost end of the insert 13, and in its preferredform, is formed of the same material as the insert 13. Extending fromthe innermost edge of the lip 27 is a free end 28 which is curved backwithin the opening 14- and terminates in an edge 29.

The enlarged portion shown in FIG. 4 illustrates the arcuate manner inwhich the inner surface 30 of the lip 27 is formed. In addition, the lip27 is shown as being thinner in cross section at the point 31 to provideincreased fiexure at this point 31. The lip 28 is thicker in crosssection at the point 32 than at the point 31. Still further, the edge 29of the free end 28 is curved back away from the surface 33 so that onlythe surface 33 will be in engagement with the applicator 22.

To minimize noise usually associated with the withraw-al and insertionof an applicator, the length of the surface 33 on the free end 23 isgreater than the pitch or distance across adjacent ones of the grooves24. By this means, the surface 33 does not enter the grooves 24appreciably but, rather, serves to wipe only the excess mascara materialas the applicator 22 is withdrawn.

In some instances an increased wiping action may be desired. This isobtained in accordance with the invention by providing a flange 4t)extending peripherally within the opening 14 adjacent the free end 28.

The flange 4% is formed by inserting a washer of flexible materialwithin the opening 14 and bonding it to an abutment surface 41 by, forexample, a suitable adhesive. Like the bore provided by the fee end 28,the bore pro vided by the flange 49* is slightly less in diameter thanthe outside diameter of the applicator 22.

If desired, the insert 13 as well as the insert 18 is formed of asuit-able plastic material, such as nylon, and has an outside diameterwhich is .002 to .004 inch greater than the openings 12 and 19,respectively, into which they fit. Similarly, the bore provided by thelip 28 is .002 to .004 inch smaller than the outside diameter of theapplicator 22 to permit an effective wiping action.

By positioning the lip 27 and the free end 23 adjacent the outermost endof the opening 14, the bore opening into which the applicator 22 isinserted is more easily visible, as contrasted with heretofore knownarrangements wherein a projecting means is positioned adjacent theinnermost end of the opening 14. Also, by placing the lip 27 and thefree end 28 adjacent the outermost end of the insert 13, more space isavailable within the opening 14 to contain additional mascara fluidmaterial, thus increasing the capacity of the casing it Anotheradvantage of an arrangement in accordance with the invention is that anymascara fluid which escapes past the lip 27 is removed easily as, forexample, by wiping with a suitable tissue. In contrast, leakage in priordevices collects within the casing opening and is diificult to remove.

While the above forms of the invention have been described andillustrated, it is understood that further modifications and alterationsmay be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A mascara container comprising an elongated casing to enclose liquidmascara material, said casing having an opening at one end thereof, aninsert member of flexible material reducing the open end of said casingand having a central circular opening for access to the liquid mascaramaterial, a closure member removably engageable with said casing toclose and seal the open end thereof, the opening in said insert memberhaving a wide outward flare directly externally exposing the same forready cleaning when said closure member is removed, said closure memberincluding an externally exposed manufl grasping end and including amascara applicator rod received in said central opening, said rod havinga smooth cylindrical portion near said grasping end and having at itsother end external circumferential applicator threads for immersion inthe liquid mascara, said rod having a maximum diameter slightly inexcess of the diameter of said central opening, whereby saidinsert-member opening must be flexed into stressed wiping contact withsaid rod, said insert member in the region of contact with said rodhaving a circumferentially continuous lip integral with said insertmember, said lip having a free end located inwardly of the opening andintermediate the respective longitudinal ends of said insert member,said lip having a curved exterior surface at the location of contactwith said applicator, said contact location being between the free endof said lip and its connection with said insert member, the curvature ofsaid surface being less than required to fill the space between saidthreads, whereby a metered filling of mascara material is developed insaid threads for each removal of said apphcator.

2. A container according to claim 1, and including a flange member alsoclosing the open end of said casing and retained by said insert memberin said opening between the free end of saidflip and the interior ofsaid casing, said flange member having a central circular openingaligned with said first-mentioned opening and slightly in excess of therod diameter and overstanding the cylindrical rod portion when saidcontainer is closed.

3. A mascara container comprising an elongated casing to enclose liquidmascara material, said casing having an opening at one end thereof, aninsert member of flexible material reducing the open end of said casingand having a central circular opening for access to the liquid mascaramaterial, a closure member removably engageable with said casing toclose and seal the open end thereof, the opening in said insert memberhaving a wide outward flare directly externally exposing the same forready cleaning when said closure member is removed, said closure memberincluding an externally expose-d manual grasping end and a mascaraapplicator including a rod received in said central opening, said rodhaving a smooth cylindrical portion near said grasping end and having atits other end longitudinally spaced external circumferential applicatorelements forming recesses therebetween for immersion in the liquidmascara, said portion of said rod having a maximum diameter slightly inexcess or" the diameter of said central opening, whereby saidinsert-member opening must be flexed into stressed wiping contact withsaid rod, said insert-member in the region of con-tact with said rodhaving a circumferential continuous lip integral with saidinsert-member, said lip having a free end located inwardly of theopen-ing and intermediate the respective longitudinal ends of saidinsert-member, said lip having a curved exterior surface at the locationof contact with said applicator, said contact location being between thefree end of said lip and its connection with said insert-member, thecurvature of said surface for any given longitudinal cross-section whichincludes the axis of said applicator being less than required to fillthe space between said elements, whereby a metered filling of mascaramaterial is developed in said elements for each removal of saidapplicator.

4. A container according to claim 3, and including a flange member alsoclosing the open end of said casing and retained by said insert memberin said opening between the free end of said lip and the interior ofsaid casing, said flange member having a central circular openingaligned with said first-mentioned opening and overstanding thecylindrical rod portion when said container is closed, said openingbeing of a diameter to wipe excess mascara material from said applicatoras the same is removed from said casing, whereby the metering of mascaramaterial achieved by said lip may be more uniform,

No references cited.

1. A MASCARA CONTAINER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED CASING TO ENCLOSE LIQUIDMASCARA MATERIAL, SAID CASING HAVING AN OPENING AT ONE END THEREOF, ANINSERT MEMBER OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL REDUCING THE OPEN END OF SAID CASINGAND HAVING A CENTRAL CIRCULAR OPENING FOR ACCESS TO THE LIQUID MASCARAMATERIAL, A CLOSURE MEMBER REMOVABLY ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID CASING TOCLOSE AND SEAL THE OPEN END THEREOF, THE OPENING IN SAID INSERT MEMBERHAVING A WIDE OUTWARD FLARE DIRECTLY EXTERNALLY EXPOSING THE SAME FORREADY CLEANING WHEN SAID CLOSURE MEMBER IS REMOVED, SAID CLOSURE MEMBERINCLUDING AN EXTERNALLY EXPOSED MANUAL GRASPING END AND INCLUDING AMASCARA APPLICATOR ROD RECEIVED IN SAID CENTRAL OPENING, SAID ROD HAVINGA SMOOTH CYLINDRICAL PORTION NEAR SAID GRASPING END AND HAVING AT ITSOTHER END EXTERNAL CIRCUMFERENTIAL APPLICATOR THREADS FOR IMMERSION INTHE LIQUID MASCARA, SAID ROD HAVING A MAXIMUM DIAMETER SLIGHTLY INEXCESS OF THE DIAMETER OF SAID CENTRAL OPENING, WHEREBY SAIDINSERT-MEMBER OPENING MUST BE FLEXED INTO STRESSED WIPING CONTACT WITHSAID ROD, SAID INSERT MEMBER IN THE REGION OF CONTACT WITH SAID RODHAVING A CIRCUMFERENTIALLY CONTINUOUS LIP INTEGRAL WITH SAID INSERTMEMBER, SAID LIP HAVING A FREE END LOCATED INWARDLY OF THE OPENING ANDINTERMEDIATE THE RESPECTIVE LONGITUDINAL ENDS OF SAID INSERT MEMBER,SAID LIP HAVING A CURVED EXTERIOR SURFACE AT THE LOCATION OF CONTACTWITH SAID APPLICATOR, SAID CONTACT LOCATION BEING BETWEEN THE FREE ENDOF SAID LIP AND ITS CONNECTION WITH SAID INSERT MEMBER, THE CURVATURE OFSAID SURFACE BEING LESS THAN REQUIRED TO FILL THE SPACE BETWEEN SAIDTHREADS, WHEREBY A METERED FILLING OF MASCARA MATERIAL IS DEVELOPED INSAID THREADS FOR EACH REMOVAL OF SAID APPLICATOR.